Children, Teachers, Schools in Focus of New Education Policy

The new approach in Hungarian education policy focuses on children, teachers and schools, the Minister of Education and Child Affairs Judit Lannert said on Monday.

Judit Lannert said on social media that instead of excessive centralization, they will restore the professional autonomy of educational institutions, and reduce the unnecessary administrative burden on teachers. She added that they will reestablish professional dialogue, expand freedom of choice in textbook selection, and improve the conditions for the day-to-day operation of schools.

"Good education can only be built with respected teachers, genuine professional freedom, and decisions that, above all, serve the interests and future of children," the minister added.

She reminded that during the previous Fidesz-KDNP governments in the past 16 years, children’s interests were pushed to the sidelines, teachers were overburdened and saddled with unnecessary bureaucracy, their right to strike was taken away, and many were intimidated or fired for expressing critical opinions. Schools were subjected to excessive centralization, while there was a shortage of even the basic resources necessary for day-to-day operations.

She said that all of this had been reflected in the decline in the effectiveness of Hungarian education, as confirmed by international assessments. "Today, however, Hungary once again has an independent ministry of education and child affairs. It is not possible to undo 16 years of Fidesz-KDNP’s educational policy rampage in two months, but we can make it clear that education has taken a new direction," she added.